The veteran's HNP resulted in severe, recurring attacks with intermittent relief and responsiveness to physical therapy. The VA determined that a 40 percent evaluation is appropriate under the old rating criteria.
The deciding factor: The veteran had severe intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) manifested by recurrent episodes of IVDS symptoms affecting more than one spinal segment, resulting in incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least four weeks but less than six weeks during the past 12 months.
- Claimed conditions
- Herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP), L4-L5 with radiculopathy with degenerative changes thoracic spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- July 29, 2005
- Citation
- 0520520
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0520520.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Denied
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- Denied
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- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
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